THEA A100: Introduction to Theatre
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 12/06/2023 |
| Top Code | 100700 - Dramatic Arts |
| Units | 3 Total Units |
| Hours | 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S) |
| Associate Arts Local General Education (GE) |
|
| Associate Science Local General Education (GE) |
|
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) |
|
| Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) |
|
| California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) |
|
Course Description
An introductory lecture course which explores the process of creating theatre today, including the contributions of the playwright, actor, director and designer. Plays of varying genres will be viewed and discussed. Students will also review two live stage productions. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: THEA A100 and THEA A101 combined: maximum credit, 1 course.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Analyze and discuss play productions in terms of directorial concept, script interpretation, performance quality, and production values.
- Analyze and discuss plays in terms of genre, theme, structure and character.
- Identify and discuss major dramatic genres.
- Develop and write a critique of a play production.
- Describe and evaluate several major dramatic works by important playwrights.
Course Objectives
- 1. Make written critical appraisals of theatre productions, of written play texts, and of performance and production styles.
- 2. Describe the actors contribution to play production.
- 3. Describe the directors contribution to play production.
- 4. Describe the playwrights contribution to play production.
- 5. Describe the designers contribution to play production in the areas of scenery, costume, lighting and sound.
- 6. Define the major theatre genres.
Lecture Content
Section One: Roots of theatre Dionysus and Ancient Greece The role of the audience Group psychology The imagination of the audience Willing suspension of disbelief Communication tools and styles Realism vs. theatrical communication styles Symbol and metaphorHamlet Criticism and play reviewsActing Historical acting styles Modern performance styles Acting today Directing History of directing Directorial interpretation Directing today Section Two: Playwriting: subject, purpose, and point-of-viewGenre: Drama tragedy, domestic drama, melodrama A Dolls House Genre: Comedy tragicomedy, satire, parodyGenre: AbsurdismRockabye and BreathGenre: Musical Theatre History of musical theatre Book musicals, concept musicals, jukebox musicalsA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumZoot Suit Theatre of Diversity Section Three: Playwriting: Structure Elements of structure Climactic Episodic Musical Serial Playwriting: Character Realistic and non-realistic Cyrano de Bergerac Section Four: Theatre Spaces Scene Design Costume Design Lighting Design Sound DesignDeath of a SalesmanOur Town
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
Instructional Techniques
. Make written critical appraisals of theatre productions, of written play texts, and of performance and production styles. 2. Appraise and critique theatre productions, written play texts, performance and production styles. 3. Describe historical styles of performance. 4. Describe the actors contribution to play production. 5. Describe the directors contribution to play production. 6. Describe the playwrights contribution to play production. 7. Describe the designers contribution to play production in the areas of scenery, costume, lighting and sound. 8. Describe theatre organizational systems 9. Define the following theatre genres: Comedy, Tragedy, Tragicomedy, Musical Theatre, Avante-Garde, Absurdism, Melodrama.
Reading Assignments
The student will write two or more play reviews and complete four vocabulary worksheets. Exams will include a written essay portion.
Writing Assignments
The student will write two or more play reviews and complete four vocabulary worksheets. Exams will include a written essay portion.
Out-of-class Assignments
The student will write two or more play reviews and complete four vocabulary worksheets. Exams will include a written essay portion.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Evaluation consists of: Tests which include essay portions as well as multiple choice and true/false questions. Four vocabulary homework assignments. Two written play critiques.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
1. The student will write two or more play reviews and complete four vocabulary worksheets. 2. Exams will include a written essay portion.
Eligible Disciplines
Theater arts: See drama/theater arts Masters degree required.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required Wilson, Edwin. The Theatre Experience, ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2023